Enrollment is down in the Fraser-Cascade School District by approximately 32 students as of September 30.

“This along with no inflationary funding increases has meant further district cuts in both staffing, resources and really in every aspect of our operations,” said Natalie Lowe-Zucchet, secretary-treasurer for school District #78.

“This year school districts have been very vocal because it isn’t just declining enrolments but increasing cost pressures and funding decreases that are impacting boards. MSP premiums increasing, HST, from which it doesn’t appear there will be an exemption for Boards of Education, unlike municipalities, carbon tax and carbon offset costs, payment for BCESiS and other Ministry initiatives are wreaking havoc with budgets.”

Locally, provincial cuts to education have impacted the Board of Education to the tune of over half a million dollars.

“It has meant (the loss) of approximately $550,000 less in annual facility grant funding which is what the district uses to ensure the fabric of our buildings is maintained and was supposed to help us minimize our carbon footprint,” said Lowe-Zucchet.

To absorb the cut and rising costs, “we cut back on our summer work projects, including work on our facility roofs many of which need substantial overhauling.”

And there is little in reserves to buffer the cut. “We are very concerned about maintaining a small reserve for a potential contingency, such as a boiler breakdown, but we have no funds available for any of the work we normally undertake - like our regular painting program, asphalt repairs, floor replacements, washroom upgrades - the list really is endless,” said Lowe-Zucchet.

“We will be doing the bare minimum in the next year until we can afford to do more. It is distressing to our system as you will see from letters from Boards of Education around the province. It is difficult to operate when funds are limited, but work still needs to be done.”

“We will be only repairing high priority needs to maintain the health and safety of students and staff.”